Watch Nostradamus Decoded

Nostradamus Decoded, released in 2009, is a documentary film that delves into the life and work of Michel de Nostradamus, a renowned astrologer, physician, and seer from the 16th century. The film is directed by Elizabeth van der Tramp and produced by Suburban Tempest Productions. The movie begins with an introduction to Nostradamus and his famous work, Les Propheties. The book is a collection of quatrains, or prophetic verses, that Nostradamus wrote in the mid-1500s. The book has been the subject of fascination and speculation for centuries, with many believing that Nostradamus saw into the future and predicted major global events.

Nostradamus Decoded attempts to demystify the man and his work. The film interviews a range of experts, including historians, scholars, and Nostradamus enthusiasts, who provide insights into the prophet's life and times. Some of the interviewees include Osvaldo Avallone, a Nostradamus expert, Matthew Brenher, a scholar of Renaissance literature, and Vincent Bridges, a researcher and author of several books on Nostradamus.

The film takes viewers on a journey through Nostradamus' life, from his early days as a student to his time as a physician during the Black Death. Along the way, the audience learns about Nostradamus' beliefs and how they influenced his work. For example, Nostradamus was an adherent of the hermetic tradition, a philosophy that combined elements of alchemy, astrology, and magic. The film discusses how this belief system informed his predictions and shaped his worldview.

As the movie progresses, it delves into various aspects of Nostradamus' work. For instance, the film explores the various methods Nostradamus used to write his prophecies. One approach involved writing down random words and then rearranging them until they formed a coherent verse. Another method involved using anagrams of names and places to disguise his predictions.

The film also addresses the many controversies surrounding Nostradamus' work. Some critics dismiss his prophecies as vague and open to interpretation, while others accuse him of outright fraud. The movie explores these criticisms and offers counterarguments from Nostradamus supporters.

Furthermore, the film examines some of the most famous prophecies attributed to Nostradamus. For instance, the movie discusses the quatrain that seems to predict the rise of Hitler and the outbreak of World War II. The film also looks at the purported prophecies of the 9/11 attacks, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and other major global events.

Nostradamus Decoded does not shy away from the more outlandish interpretations of Nostradamus' work, such as the idea that he predicted the end of the world in 2012. However, the film also presents a more measured view of the prophet's legacy, acknowledging that his work was created in a particular context and that many of his predictions may have been intended for a specific audience.

Overall, Nostradamus Decoded is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the life and work of one of history's most fascinating figures. While it does not offer any definitive answers about Nostradamus' predictions, it provides a nuanced perspective on his life and times and invites viewers to think critically about his legacy.